SHOP TALK

CLIFTON BRIDES

Where Bristol The Boss Michaela Gair When opened 1994 in Bristol, but established in 1989 Labels carried Lillian West, Madison James, Alan Hannah, Eliza Jane Howell. Since doors have reopened Definitely busier – brides more focused and ready to order. What’s in demand Boho feel still a ‘vibe’ but nothing too outlandish! Less plunging necklines, and definitely a feature back. Budgets – any big changes Budgets didn’t seem to have decreased; we’re finding brides are happy to spend a little more. How is your appointment book looking Looking good, and filling up fast. How are you reaching out to potential customers Most of our business is word of mouth from other brides. Also, we have lots of nurses and doctors from the local hospitals, so word spreads. Could your suppliers be doing more in the way of support Suppliers on the whole are very accommodating and helpful, while others a little rigid on ‘policies’. Loan service is a great addition and really helps. Which exhibitions are you planning to attend We will likely just do our annual trip to Harrogate. Are your new brides planning to marry this year, or beyond We have a lot of enquiries for 2023 weddings, but in the main the brides aren’t ready to buy. The majority are for summer 2022. How do you think this year will roll out We are really looking forward to 2022. Covid is with us and we have adapted well, and so far weddings are back and brides are planning and being positive. Your New Year resolution for your business Well I guess it’s to stop fretting about social media. You know, looking at our order books, getting thousands of likes and followers doesn’t make a good business! We’ve been going over 30 years and actually I would say that 2021, despite the bumps, has been one of our best years in the last five or so.

Where Hertfordshire and London The Boss Samantha Weston When opened 1991 Labels carried Hertfordshire: Halfpenny London, Anna Kara, Modeca, Maggie Sottero and Rosa Clara. London: Jesus Peiro, Stephanie Allin, Alon Livne, Alan Hannah, Ersa Atelier. Since doors have reopened After the first lockdown, we were very busy for a month or so then quietened back to normal as people were still worried. After lockdown number two, we were only open for a few weeks before we closed for lockdown three. Since the last lockdown, we have been continuously very busy. What’s in demand More brides are considering separates or mini dresses or trousers and many more are looking at rush weddings. Budgets – any big changes Not really – some are spending less, others more. How is your appointment book looking Weekends are already getting busy. We expect to continue being as busy as we are now. How are you reaching out to potential customers Via lots of focus on Instagram. Could your suppliers be doing more in the way of support Not sure. Which exhibitions are you planning to attend Barcelona, Harrogate and potentially New York. Are your new brides planning to marry this year, or beyond This year and next. How do you think this year will roll out Fingers crossed, we stay as busy as we are and lots more brides can move forward with confidence, planning their wedding for the next few years. Your New Year resolution for your business To take some time every day for a bit of downtime, to reset for the next day.

SHOP TALK

At the start of the new year, and what looks like being the best season ever, we asked a selection of top retailers for an overview of where business stands for them

JUST A DAY BRIDALWEAR and BRIDES OF ST PETERS

Where Ipswich, Suffolk The Boss Sharon Higgs When opened Just a Day opened 1 April 1993; Brides of St Peters 13 April 2021. Labels carried Just a Day: Sincerity, Mark Lesley, Tiffany, Eternity, Art Couture, Justin Alexander. Brides of St Peters: Pronovias, Justin Alexander, Donna Salado, Nicola Anne, Christine Wu. Since doors have reopened Just a Day was open six, sometimes seven, days a week, and doing late evenings. Sales are good, and yes, I would say busier than before. What’s in demand We did note that we needed larger sizes than we carried before lockdown and many brides were asking for sleeves. Budgets – any big changes Budgets were healthy and brides were not so worried. However, in the last quarter of 2021, Just a Day has had a lot more budget brides calling. How is your appointment book looking Usually Just a day doesn’t get started until about the third week in January, but for 2022 we have several Saturdays that are almost fully booked already, and that accounts for seven appointments for each. How are you reaching out to potential customers Mainly, for Just a Day we have been attending lots of venue open days and weddings fairs, which has kept a busy Saturday diary and a few sale appointments through the week, too. For Brides of St Peters, I have taken a very soft approach and done only a couple of open days, and am waiting for the dust to settle with Covid before I do a bigger push with it. A new boutique always gets business when it opens, so I have let it do its thing. Could your suppliers be doing more in the way of support Suppliers have had a difficult time, too, but the only thing we could ask of them is to keep the minimum requirements down. That would help at this time. Which exhibitions are you planning to attend I plan to go to London as I need to find a couple of labels for the new boutique – having being open a year now, it’s shown me what it needs. Of course, I will go to Harrogate, too. If any of my suppliers do pop up shows I do try to attend but they have a habit of making me overspend. Are your new brides planning to marry this year, or beyond Brides attending the boutiques at the moment are mainly late 2022 and 2023, but at wedding fairs, I find there are a lot of brides out there looking for 2023, who have not got venues yet. We could be in for a good couple of years, I think. How do you think this year will roll out 2021 was been better than I thought and we managed to move older stock to free up space. As for 2022, I think we could be in for a busy time. Your New Year resolution for your business I make the same business resolution every year, which is something my father taught me. “Any person can take money, very few make money”. With that said, my resolution is to make money.

Where Ripley, Surrey The Boss Emma Meek When opened 1988 Labels carried Jesus Peiro, Suzanne Neville, Anna Kara, and Sophie et Voila. Since doors have reopened Absolutely off the scale, moving to seven days a week and three to five late nights. What’s in demand Minimalism, statement sleeves, separates and wedding wardrobes – flexible options to cover several different events. Our brides are always after ‘different’ while retaining a sense of classicism. Miss Bush has also become a go-to for an alternative to beaded and plunge dresses, attracting brides looking for non-mainstream looks. Budgets – any big changes I have found budgets increased within a certain demographic – brides and families unaffected by the pandemic have plenty of disposable income. How is your appointment book looking Weekends are fully booked well into this year, with our fittings diary reaching capacity. How are you reaching out to potential customers All marketing is still fully digital, with social media and website driving enquiries. Could your suppliers be doing more in the way of support Our suppliers have been fantastic during the challenging 2021 season. However, there is a general list of ongoing requests: • More content to feed the hungry social media feeds but it needs to be of a high editorial level • Vast improvement to the stockist pages on websites to reflect the unique perspective of each retailer • A huge increase from suppliers with interaction online and a move to partnership relationships • Greater forecasting for production so we are know more quickly when they reach production capacity • A greater size range in loan samples • Use of more diverse models in age, size and ethnicity Which exhibitions are you planning to attend Barcelona Bridal Week, and possibly Milan Bridal Week. Are your new brides planning to marry this year, or beyond 2022 and 2023. How do you think this year will roll out I think it will be busy, challenging and exhausting. Another Darwinian year for the bridal trade. Your New Year resolution for your business These are all quite contradictory, but a bullet point list would be: • Work-Life-Balance • Keep innovating • Sustainable growth • Campaign for change

Y.A.P BRIDAL

Where Newcastle Upon Tyne The Boss Danni Hesketh When opened August 2010 Labels carried Savin London, Maggie Sottero, Madi Lane, Rebecca Ingram, Aire Barcelona and Libelle Bridal. Since doors have reopened The backlog of brides waiting for appointments post lockdown meant our diary has been busier than ever and we’re still working with a four- to six-week waiting list for weekend appointments. What’s in demand We’ve seen a complete mix of style requirements on our brides wish lists – some have had to adapt and downsize their day, changing to elopements, so price point and simpler styling is wanted, while others have additional spends saved from the lockdowns and are adding a second dress, an evening look for their day. Budgets – any big changes We’ve seen both sides since reopening. Our brides are all in such unique situations, and budgets have definitely adapted depending on personal circumstance after the lockdowns. How is your appointment book looking Strong. Appointment requests are flowing in with brides keen to prebook their visits for the coming year. We feel it’s important to have the dress experience to look forward to, and brides are being a touch more cautious with regards to delivery schedules after the past year’s unknowns. How are you reaching out to potential customers As always, our social media presence is key in our promotions, alongside our advertisements within national bridal magazines and online supplier guest lists. Could your suppliers be doing more in the way of support Our suppliers this year have been so forward-thinking and we cannot thank them enough for this. We’ve experienced minimal delays and all our labels have been creative with virtual shows and content throughout the year. Which exhibitions are you planning to attend We’ll be visiting London Bridal Week, Barcelona (travel permitting) and

Harrogate Bridal Shows alongside visiting our designer showrooms. We feel that brides are now more confident that their plans won’t need to adapt again, so it’s important to have the best choice in store of the newest season’s gowns.

Are your new brides planning to marry this year, or beyond Our brides are planning ahead for 2022 and 2023, but we have had a few last-minute brides with a matter of weeks to plan, for whom we have been able to help match the dreamiest styles. How do you think this year will roll out Positively. Everyone is looking forward to 2022 and beyond and excited to start planning their day properly. Your New Year resolution for your business Expansion is certainly on the cards for us both as a studio and our team - we’re excited for what 2022 has in store for us.

THE HELENA COTTER TRAINING ACADEMY - BRIDAL. EST. 2003

Sales Training Courses & services designed specifically for the niche Bridal Industry

COURSES INCLUDE

aIn-house training days aOnline training courses aLive chat mini courses aLet me help you build a course to suit your professional needs

SERVICES INCLUDE

aDirector coaching aManagement coaching aIndividual & teamwork development aTailored services for bridal designers & manufacturers

Dates for your diary: The Bridal Roadshow at Birmingham, Voco St. John’s Hotel in Sunday 27th & Monday 28th February and Harrogate ,The Majestic Hotel , Sunday 6th & Monday the 7th March 2022 I look forward to meeting you at one of the venues.

+44 (0) 1582 451238 and +44 (0) 7896 944759 info@helenacotter.co.uk www.helenacotter.co.uk hccoaching Helena Cotter

Providing solutions to the bridal industry for over 30 years.

The original shop insurance package built purely for the wedding trade:

•New for old cover on stock • Exhibition cover

•Stock held by seamstresses • Automatic seasonal increase